Georges Kaplan Presents - Four Card Trick

  by Adrian Janes

published: 17 / 3 / 2017

Label: GPK
Format: CDS

intro

Debut EP from London-based jazz duo Georges Kaplan Presents who conjure some dexterous musical magic

Although ostensibly the product of a mysterious impresario, Georges Kaplan Presents are in fact a jazz duo consisting of Stephan Barrett (piano) and Dan Strange (saxophone). This EP – their only release to date apart from the single ‘Drive-Thru’ - showcases their ability to evoke a range of moods even with minimal instrumentation, while firmly establishing a characteristic style. After an energetic intro of galloping piano and wild rasping sax, ‘Ballad of Gun Wharf’ slows into a mournful passage complemented by organ and a suggestion of glockenspiel, ideal to soundtrack a lonely gumshoe seeking clues down by the docks at midnight. But apart from this section, Ballad’ is something of a misnomer as the pace revs up again at the end, sax and piano storming away like an early Roxy Music led by Mackay rather than Ferry. ‘Strike a Light’ begins with swirling liquid piano, like a Birdland Debussy. In place of a bassist, here and elsewhere Barrett concentrates on the low end of the keyboard, but lightens the dark tones with glimmers of electric piano. Strange’s sax is spare, allowing space for more of a dialogue between the two. A sudden honk from him introduces a much more abrasive section, though the mood shifts again to conclude, turning slow and mysterious. The most emotive of the four compositions is ‘Lady 8’, the sax yearning and slightly tentative, set against tinkling electric piano. An acoustic piano grows more prominent, building the tension as if trying to shake off the melancholy mood, but falls back again to leave the sax exposed, vulnerable. Final track ‘The Tingler’ is more in the lively vein of Ballad of Gun Wharf’, led by electric and acoustic pianos and interspersed by spurts of sax. Echo on the sax adds an extra dimension to the sound, an experimental touch worth pursuing further. This is a spirited and atmospheric collection, and remarkable as the product of the interplay of just two musicians. Among their influences they cite Soft Machine: I’m not sure how much farther they can go as just a duo, but it would certainly be something to hear their talents at work in a similarly larger group setting.

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